We tapped celebrated chef Silver Iocovozzi to help create this delicious two-day getaway in Asheville (more info), which will thrill your tastebuds and satisfy all your other senses with nature outings, shopping, and more. Iocovozzi ranks high among the city’s luminaries. His 18-seat Filipinx restaurant, Neng Jr.’s (more info) started racking up accolades almost as soon as it opened in 2022, including finalist for Best New Restaurant in the 2023 James Beard Awards.
Iocovozzi’s culinary acumen comes from a decade-plus of experience in restaurant kitchens around the world, but it’s Asheville that he calls home and where he feels his restaurant Neng Jr.’s fits best. With in-depth knowledge and passion for the local food scene, this culinary expert makes an ideal tour guide for a trip bursting with unexpected flavors and finds, including what fuels his creative spirit.
Itinerary
The Montford, the rooftop cocktail bar of the Doubletree by Hilton, is a prime spot to take in gorgeous sunsets and mountain views.
Photo by Tim Robison
Day 1:Shop Vintage and Hit an Asheville Spa
Begin your trip by checking in to the historic Princess Anne Hotel (more info), situated in an area Iocovozzi suggests is the perfect pick for your stay, replete with old Asheville charm about a 20-minute stroll from downtown. This 1924 building is now a 16-suite hotel. First opened as a 19th-century wellness hotel for those seeking respite in the fresh mountain air, the meticulously preserved, boutique property invites guests to relax with a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception in the evening.
Today you’ll embark on a veritable treasure hunt as you shop throughout Asheville. The area boasts a robust network of thrift and antique stores, bursting with vintage clothing, original artwork, pop culture ephemera, and more.
The 77,000-square-foot Antique Tobacco Barn (more info) is a prime example of the vast warehouses you can find here that nod to Asheville’s industrial past. Filled with everything from maps to ceramics and so much more, it’s a place where you can easily spend hours. Find 31,000 more square feet of collector’s paradise nearby at Sweeten Creek Antiques (more info), which has a similar but smaller inventory. When you need a break, go for fortifying pho or a báhn mì sandwich at Wild Ginger Noodle Bar (more info), an Iocovozzi favorite.
For a weekend shopping adventure, check out Wildflowers Vintage, a pop-up boutique that sells a curated selection of clothing from eras past, now at Rowan Coffee (more info) on occasion. In the River Arts District (more info) on North Lexington, also known as the RAD, explore working artist studios and unique art spaces that are open to the public.
Take the next few hours to relax in one of Asheville’s notable spas or wellness facilities—one of Iocovozzi’s top ways to unwind in his downtime. Downtown, inside the Grove Arcade (more info) at Wake Foot Sanctuary (more info), you can care for your feet with a soak and massage. Expand relief to your entire body with a wood-fired sauna and cold plunge at Drip Sauna (more info) in an elevated location overlooking the French Broad River or try the Asheville Salt Cave located just north of downtown for deep relaxation (more info). Or head to East Asheville to reach Still Point Wellness (more info) for treatments like floating atop a thousand pounds of Epsom salt in a sensory deprivation tank.
Check the timing of sunset and plan accordingly for a visit to the Montford (more info), the rooftop cocktail bar atop the Doubletree by Hilton. It’s a prime roost from which to watch the sun sink gloriously behind the mountainous backdrop to the west—especially with a Montford Mule or other house cocktail in hand.
Grab dinner at Tall John’s (more info), a few blocks away. Housed in a former church, this bistro serves American and European comfort food such as pork schnitzel with fennel salad, grilled trout with blood orange relish, and the house signature, a half chicken with roasted lemon. The restaurant also draws a heavily local crowd, largely from the Montford Historic District (more info) right outside the front door, providing an authentic experience.
Today you’ll embark on a veritable treasure hunt as you shop throughout Asheville. The area boasts a robust network of thrift and antique stores, bursting with vintage clothing, original artwork, pop culture ephemera, and more.
The 77,000-square-foot Antique Tobacco Barn (more info) is a prime example of the vast warehouses you can find here that nod to Asheville’s industrial past. Filled with everything from maps to ceramics and so much more, it’s a place where you can easily spend hours. Find 31,000 more square feet of collector’s paradise nearby at Sweeten Creek Antiques (more info), which has a similar but smaller inventory. When you need a break, go for fortifying pho or a báhn mì sandwich at Wild Ginger Noodle Bar (more info), an Iocovozzi favorite.
For a weekend shopping adventure, check out Wildflowers Vintage, a pop-up boutique that sells a curated selection of clothing from eras past, now at Rowan Coffee (more info) on occasion. In the River Arts District (more info) on North Lexington, also known as the RAD, explore working artist studios and unique art spaces that are open to the public.
Take the next few hours to relax in one of Asheville’s notable spas or wellness facilities—one of Iocovozzi’s top ways to unwind in his downtime. Downtown, inside the Grove Arcade (more info) at Wake Foot Sanctuary (more info), you can care for your feet with a soak and massage. Expand relief to your entire body with a wood-fired sauna and cold plunge at Drip Sauna (more info) in an elevated location overlooking the French Broad River or try the Asheville Salt Cave located just north of downtown for deep relaxation (more info). Or head to East Asheville to reach Still Point Wellness (more info) for treatments like floating atop a thousand pounds of Epsom salt in a sensory deprivation tank.
Check the timing of sunset and plan accordingly for a visit to the Montford (more info), the rooftop cocktail bar atop the Doubletree by Hilton. It’s a prime roost from which to watch the sun sink gloriously behind the mountainous backdrop to the west—especially with a Montford Mule or other house cocktail in hand.
Grab dinner at Tall John’s (more info), a few blocks away. Housed in a former church, this bistro serves American and European comfort food such as pork schnitzel with fennel salad, grilled trout with blood orange relish, and the house signature, a half chicken with roasted lemon. The restaurant also draws a heavily local crowd, largely from the Montford Historic District (more info) right outside the front door, providing an authentic experience.
Black Balsam is a popular spot for a hike.
Courtesy of Explore Asheville/Savannah Bockus
Day 2:Visit West Asheville Markets and The Great Outdoors
Asheville’s vaunted food culture rests on the shoulders of the area’s farmers. Today you’ll connect with the region while browsing farmers’ markets and taking in the surrounding natural environment that’s been drawing wellness seekers and outdoor enthusiasts since the 1800s.
Multiple farmers’ markets take place in and around Asheville all year long. If you happen to be in town on a Tuesday between April and November, go to the West Asheville Tailgate Market (more info), which pairs natural beauty products, herbal medicine, and arts and crafts with a bevy of produce, dairy, and baked goods—plus live music and kids activities. Asheville City Market (more info) takes place downtown on Saturdays and is another great place to find all manner of local produce, eggs, honey, and more. It’s also one of several farmers’ markets where you can pick up items from Lee’s One Fortune Farm (more info), which supplies the rice used at Neng Jr.’s.
After a morning stroll through the markets, find a deeper connection with nature on one of the numerous legendary hikes only a short distance from the city center. Iocovozzi recommends Black Balsam (more info), an easy, family-friendly hike that’s famous for blueberries in late summer and early fall, and Graveyard Fields (more info), a 3.5-mile loop trail through high-elevation meadows and forests, waterfalls included.
Craggy Gardens (more info), less than 20 miles northeast of downtown Asheville, is another good choice with inspiring sunset views alongside bursting rhododendrons in early summer. (Pro tip: It’s open from mid-April through mid-November.) If fishing is how you like to enjoy the outdoors, sign up for a guided fly-fishing tour with Hunter Banks (more info), where you’ll drop a line into one of the finest trout habitats in the U.S.
Back in West Asheville, follow your hiking with much-deserved gastronomic rewards. You can’t go wrong with anything on the seasonally focused menu at Iocovozzi’s own Neng Jr.’s (more info)—just be sure to make your reservations early for the highly coveted seating. Or dig into some incredible Mexican food. While artisanal tacos populate nearly every neighborhood in Asheville, Taqueria Muñoz (more info) offers an authentic experience, with classic tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and more served by a Spanish-speaking team.
Then, check Pink Moon Bar’s Instagram to retrieve the daily code that gets you into the outdoor wine bar, one of Asheville’s favorite speakeasies. Toast to your fabulous two-day getaway over a glass of rosé or orange wine at this excellently designed space.
With so many stellar dining options, you’ll be yearning to come back soon for another round of palate-pleasing Asheville delights.
Multiple farmers’ markets take place in and around Asheville all year long. If you happen to be in town on a Tuesday between April and November, go to the West Asheville Tailgate Market (more info), which pairs natural beauty products, herbal medicine, and arts and crafts with a bevy of produce, dairy, and baked goods—plus live music and kids activities. Asheville City Market (more info) takes place downtown on Saturdays and is another great place to find all manner of local produce, eggs, honey, and more. It’s also one of several farmers’ markets where you can pick up items from Lee’s One Fortune Farm (more info), which supplies the rice used at Neng Jr.’s.
After a morning stroll through the markets, find a deeper connection with nature on one of the numerous legendary hikes only a short distance from the city center. Iocovozzi recommends Black Balsam (more info), an easy, family-friendly hike that’s famous for blueberries in late summer and early fall, and Graveyard Fields (more info), a 3.5-mile loop trail through high-elevation meadows and forests, waterfalls included.
Craggy Gardens (more info), less than 20 miles northeast of downtown Asheville, is another good choice with inspiring sunset views alongside bursting rhododendrons in early summer. (Pro tip: It’s open from mid-April through mid-November.) If fishing is how you like to enjoy the outdoors, sign up for a guided fly-fishing tour with Hunter Banks (more info), where you’ll drop a line into one of the finest trout habitats in the U.S.
Back in West Asheville, follow your hiking with much-deserved gastronomic rewards. You can’t go wrong with anything on the seasonally focused menu at Iocovozzi’s own Neng Jr.’s (more info)—just be sure to make your reservations early for the highly coveted seating. Or dig into some incredible Mexican food. While artisanal tacos populate nearly every neighborhood in Asheville, Taqueria Muñoz (more info) offers an authentic experience, with classic tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and more served by a Spanish-speaking team.
Then, check Pink Moon Bar’s Instagram to retrieve the daily code that gets you into the outdoor wine bar, one of Asheville’s favorite speakeasies. Toast to your fabulous two-day getaway over a glass of rosé or orange wine at this excellently designed space.
With so many stellar dining options, you’ll be yearning to come back soon for another round of palate-pleasing Asheville delights.
